More City Guides

Gay Vancouver

Gay Vancouver

The "City of Glass" is a place of stunning vistas set between mountain ranges and the Strait of Georgia. Vancouver has the high-energy buzz befitting a city of post-modern condo towers, high-tech industry and after two decades of heavy immigration from Hong Kong and Taiwan, a thriving Chinatown. But visitors can tune into a laid-back west coast vibe as they commune with nature and cruise the parks and nudist Wreck Beach. Top-notch skiing, hiking, camping and surfing are nearby.

Neighborhoods
With rainbows on banners and the Butte and Davie crosswalks, the West End's "gayborhood" of Davie Village contains most of the city's gay clubs, bars, lounges, cafes, and restaurants. Guys can often be seen holding hands as they make their way down the streets.
The second gay district is Commercial Drive. Locally known as "the Drive," it has lots of inexpensive ethnic restaurants, interesting shops and several women's hangouts.

Getting here

On arrival at Vancouver International Airport take Canada Line, Vancouver’s new rapid transit rail link, connecting YVR to downtown Vancouver in about 26 minutes and to downtown Richmond in 18 minutes. Access trains from either the International or the Domestic Terminal.

The Amtrak Cascades train links Eugene OR (Eugene Station), Portland OR (Union Station) and Seattle WA (King Street Station) to Vancouver BC (Pacific Central Station), a trip of about 12 hours, once a day (two trains from Seattle) and with bus service another four times each day. Coast Starlight trains connect Los Angeles to Seattle, as well as other cities along the way, including San Francisco. Amtrak Empire Builder trains link Seattle to Chicago, by way of Spokane.

From Toronto to Vancouver the ViaRailCanadian offers a legendary long haul 4-day journey of breathtaking landscapes and outstanding dining. En-route amenities include sleeping berths, live music entertainment, Wi-Fi connections, and in-chair massages by a registered therapist. Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Edmonton are among the cities seen along the way.

Canada Rail offers coast to coast service on the Rocky Mountaineer, including Coast to Coast Rail Adventures from Halifax, and Montreal, and Trans Canada Train Adventures from Toronto, Calgary and Banff to Vancouver (1755 Cottrell Street), with connections to Whistler BC, and Seattle WA. Rail tours of 7 to 16 days are offered.

For inexpensive intercity coach/bus travel from Seattle to Vancouver see BoltBus, GoToBus, and QuickShuttle. Greyhound provides bus services to Vancouver from all major US and Canadian cities.

Getting around

West End and downtown core districts are quite compact and easy to get around on foot. The public transit bus, train and ferry networks will get you around Vancouver with ease. A fare of $2.85 to $5.60 (depending on zones involved) gives you 90 minutes of travel around the Lower Mainland, good for use on all buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus. The TransLink website lists all bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, commuter trains and airport access information.

False Creek Ferries operate mini-ferries that ply the waters from the Westend or Yaletown to Granville Island and the south shores.

Cycling in Vancouver, the city's website for bicycle enthusiasts, has info on lanes, paths and resources for cyclists. Mobi, the public bike share system, launched in 2016. They offer monthly and annual plans along with day passes for just $9.75 allowing for unlimited 30 minute rides during a 24-hour period. Alternatives include West End rental shops such as: Bayshore, Bikes on Robson, English Bay Bikes, and YesCycle.

The Vancouver Trolley Company offers two sightseeing tour loops, with six stops in Stanley Park, live commentary, and hop on and off as you please. A trip on the Granville Island Ferry is included.

Cruising spots

Probably because of it's year-round temperate climate and abundance of trees, parks and beaches, outdoor cruising is a pretty popular in Vancouver. Some of the best cruising spots are: Central Park in Burnaby at Kingsway and Boundary road, afternoons and after dark, trails between Kingsway and north duck pond; Lees Trail in Stanley Park and a popular trail northwest of Second Beach with discreet day or night outdoor play; Kitsilano Pool at 2305 Cornwall Avenue, late night meetings at back of the pool and along the seawall; English Bay Sundial on the beach at the bottom of Davie and Denman Streets, late night action at the large sundial.

Media and resources

Xtra! Vancouver our local gay bi-weekly paper, ceased publication in February 2015, but the DailyXtra website continues to provide news, current events, commentary and listings, along with travel articles on this site.

GayVan, with many years of experience in LGBT travel marketing, has an online guide and lots of listings for the whole area, in English and Japanese.

MyDavieVillage website has the scoop on what's going on in this, the gayest part of town.

HIM, the Health Initiative for Men is the city's physical, sexual, mental and social health center. Qmunity, the Queer Resource Community Centre for British Columbia, has services and group offices. The Vancouver Pride Society has offices on Howe Street and their main event parade takes place in August.

Straight.com has general movies, music, food, arts and other reviews and events listings.

The Vancouver Art and Leisure Society artist-run group present professional public projects and happenings without discrimination in terms of artistic intent or discipline, in unconventional ways and performance spaces.

Streamworks (123 West Pender), private gym/sauna/bathhouse for 18-plus men, open 24/7/365 with the finest of steamy facilities, play spaces, special events. First and third Fridays each month CumUnion sex parties. RUFF Wild after-parties.

In Victoria, on Vancouver Island, Hung Homo Homestay (15 Wellington Ave; 778-265-4190), seaside guesthouse for gay/bi men, a few steps from the ocean walkway, near Cook Street Village; large rooms and suites, private entrances, lounge area, WiFi, and full kitchen option. Their “Nasty Pig Playpen” offers the company of local men who gather 4 days a week for M2M group sex play.

Near Coquitlam, BC, REO Rafting and Yoga Resort, a wilderness resort at canyon’s edge, has glamping tents with beds and private decks along the Nahatlatch River with a full mile of private river frontage. They offer outdoor dining, Jacuzzi, hot showers, and aromatherapy massages. Enjoy campfires, a private beach, BC’s best white-water rafting and a river’s edge yoga center. Located 2.5 hours from Greater Vancouver, and 4 hours from Seattle.

CLOSED: Nelson House B&B (977 Broughton, West End) bright and cheery B&B, near English Bay.